September is supposed to be the best month for planting up a new flower bed in the garden because there’s still plenty of time for the plants to settle in before winter comes.

Working hard at this time of year will help you avoid the spring rush next year. I’ve made the most of this wet summer by planting up the main bed in my front garden. Here are my top tips for success in creating a new planting area:

1) If you can, add a layer of compost to any ground that you clear, since this will prevent annual weeds growing on the surface and will nourish your new arrivals;

2) Before putting the plants in place, stand the pots in water so that they have enough to tide them over until they start growing bigger roots. This will cut down on the amount of watering you have to do in the early stages.

3) Keep the plants in their pots while you decide on their final position and then plant them out when you’re really sure.

4) Try to plant out before rain is forecast since this will help water the plants in.

5) Don’t plant out in really hot weather unless you absolutely have to, since this will put the plants under unnecessary stress.

@midsomerdiariesgarden